Emergency departments are implementing changes and processes that can increase sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Key findings of the research included:
- 47 per cent of emergency departments reported having taken measures to reduce their carbon footprint.
- 76 per cent reported making efforts to reduce unnecessary or low-value medical tests and procedures which add to emissions.
- 96 per cent reported their emergency department has clearly labelled bins for different categories of medical waste.
ACEM President Dr Stephen Gourley said, “New ACEM and EPA research shows that Australasian emergency departments are taking climate change seriously – and beginning to act.”
“Globally, 4.5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions could come from healthcare services, so it is imperative that emergency departments adapt to reduce this output and prepare for increased presentations due to climate change.”
“Frontline healthcare staff who have worked through climatic events know that climate change increases the number of people that need our care. In the 2022 NSW floods, the surge in numbers of patients presenting for care was staggering,” Dr Gourley said.
“Climatic events will continue to worsen, and we must work together to prepare the health system so people can continue to get the healthcare they need, when and where they need it.”
NSW EPA Chief Executive Tony Chappel said the research confirmed that emergency departments see increased presentations during climatic events such as bushfires, floods and storms.
“The impacts of climate change are serious and wide-ranging, and it’s vital that these institutions are preparing for and adapting to consequences of extreme weather events,” Mr Chappel said.
“We’re really pleased to partner with emergency departments because they have such a big opportunity to reduce their contributions to climate change, while improving their ability to respond to the health impacts of climatic events.
“This research identifies how these organisations can reduce their environmental footprint, by setting targets, optimising resources and establishing clear policies and guidelines for managing problematic plastics and food waste.”
Dr Gourley said that emergency departments will require ongoing support from hospital leadership and government, and called for staff to be formally trained in sustainability practices that are tailored to busy ED settings.
The ACEM and EPA partnership, first announced in August 2023, was established to collaborate on solutions that could help the health system deliver safe, timely and effective care for patients, as climatic events increase.
Read the new ACEM and EPA research here.
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